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The Helicopter Company expands fleet with 26 Airbus aircraft

The Helicopter Company, the first and only helicopter services provider licensed to operate commercial flights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed a second purchase agreement with Airbus Helicopters. Airbus explains the partnership will contribute to the ongoing expansion of The Helicopter Company’s (THC) regional fleet with 20 orders of the five-bladed H145 and six ACH160 models.

Launched in 2019, THC was established by a Public Investment Fund as part of a strategy to activate new sectors in Saudi Arabia that support the realization of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan. THC previously signed an agreement to buy 10 Airbus H125 helicopters to increase access to domestic tourism destinations and provide services such as filming and aerial surveying. The company plans to expand its services with the addition of the H145 and H160 to its fleet.

“Our mission is to create a world-class National Aviation Champion and today, by signing this agreement with our trusted partner Airbus, we mark an important milestone in our journey to grow together with the nation in focus to fulfil Saudi Vision 2030,” said Raid Ismail, Chairman of the Board of THC. “This deal comes as part of THC’s commitment to introduce new services with advanced technology that fulfill market demand and support the development of the Kingdom’s wider aviation sector.”

Airbus explains the purchase agreement forms part of THC’s ongoing strategic regional alliances with industry leaders, including a recent partnership with The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the country’s regenerative tourism project. The contract for the provision and operation of a twin-engine helicopter, crew and maintenance technicians, facilitates TRSDC emergency medical services (EMS) with alternate configuration change capability for passenger utility transport at TRSDC’s site on the west coast of Saudi Arabia.

“This important milestone is indicative of our growth as a business since our inception and of our positive contribution to the delivery of Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision in terms of stimulating new sectors,” said Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC. “Moreover, it is a commitment to the recently announced goals of the Saudi Green Initiative to not only grow our business and industry, but to do so in a sustainable manner.”